CONTEMPORARY METAPHYSICS AND EPISTEMOLOGY
Philosophy 460
8/27/2007
GENERAL INFORMATION
University of Tennessee at Martin Department of History and Philosophy
Phil 460: Contemporary Metaphysics and Epistemology all sections, 3 credits, no prerequisite
Instructor: Dr. James Fieser
Office: Humanities 216A
Office Hours: MWF 1:00-2:00, and by appointment
Phone: 881-7537 (Office) 588-2791 (Home)
E-Mail: jfieser@utm.edu
Required material: John Heil, Philosophy of Mind, second edition (Routledge: 2004)
Additional material posted online www.utm.edu/~jfieser/class/course.htm
COURSE PURPOSE, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES
Catalog Description: Survey of contemporary discussions in metaphysics and epistemology. Issues include idealism, materialism, dualism, realism, theories of knowledge, theories of truth, epistemological skepticism
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Tests: Three tests will be given throughout the semester consisting of about 40-60 multiple choice questions each. Test questions will be based on both the lecture material and the text. Students should not assume that all material in the text will be covered in the lectures or that all material in the lectures is covered in the text. Some test questions may be discarded after an exam is given if in retrospect the questions are determined by me to be ambiguous. Students will receive a five point penalty for each day an exam is taken late for up to two days. No make up exams will be given after the second day and students will fail the course by default. No make up exams will be given for the final exam at the end of the semester. Do not show up late for class on test days, especially for the final exam. Exam dates are listed in the course reading schedule. The dates are fixed; please do not request that I change them.
Attendance: Attendance is expected and will be taken regularly. 10-15 possible points will be given for attendance. Students who miss class are responsible for acquiring the missed material from other students. Students who sneak out of class after attendance will be penalized and possibly reported to Student Affairs.
Study Questions: All of the reading material in the course has accompanying study questions, which will be posted on the web. Students are required to answer the questions in a blue exam book (to be purchased from the bookstore). The exam books are due up to three times during the semester on test day, and are worth 5 point each time collected. The exam books will not be returned. Do not copy your answers from other students; I’ll be checking for this.
Short Papers: A few short essay papers of about 700 words each may be assigned throughout the semester. Instructions will be given during the semester as appropriate.
Class Participation: Class participation is encouraged, but not required. Please note that this course will cover controversial issues and you will be exposed to views that may differ from your own. When discussing these issues, you are expected to respectfully address fellow students and the teacher, and not let your emotions take over. If you cannot do this, then I encourage you to drop this class.
Extra Credit and Lottery Scholarships: No extra credit will be available for this course; the reason is that it is nearly impossible to devise an extra credit system that is fair to everyone and doesn't inadvertently penalize otherwise good students who decline an extra credit opportunity. Students on Lottery Scholarships/Grants should take particular note of this since recipients must maintain a designated grade point average (see http://www.tennessee.gov/tsac/tels_facts.pdf). To avoid jeopardizing your average, please begin working hard at the outset of the semester.
Class Dishonesty and Disruption: Class dishonesty and disruption will not be tolerated. Students may receive a one point penalty for each time he or she disrupts class. Class disruptions include leaving class early, unnecessary talking with one's neighbor, reading material which is not relevant to this course, profanity, and any other indication of disrespect. Continued disruption will result in permanent expulsion from the class. I do not object to students eating food or occasionally dozing off in class. Dishonesty on study questions, attendance, or tests will also result in permanent expulsion from the class and further penalties from the Office of Student Affairs, including expulsion from UTM. Please note that class evaluations will be given once during the semester; you are expected to fill out the evaluations and remain in class after the secretary collects the forms until I return to the room.
Course Grade: Final grades will be determined according to the total points from the three exams (120-180 total points), quizzes and Attendance (10-15 points), study questions (15 points), minus penalty points for class disruption and late exams. The total number of points will be between 145 and 215. Students should assume that final grading will follow the standard grading scale, that is, A: 90%, B: 80 %, C: 70%, D: 60 %, F: under 59% and under. However, the final grading scale may be curved slightly lower as will be determined at the end of the semester. Final grades will be calculated at the very end of finals week, and entered into Banner at that time (the print out sheet with the third exam scores will be posted in the hallway at that time, but it will not include final grades). When you receive your final grade at the close of the semester, please do not contact me to request a higher grade.
Hints for Exams: All exams will emphasize definitions and pro/contra arguments in the assigned readings. Bold faced words throughout the text are defined in the glossary, which may be helpful. I do not stress dates or superfluous names mentioned in the readings; you will get a sense of which names are important based on what I emphasize in class. Your best strategy for preparing for the exam is to outline all the readings and study from that. As a sample of how I typically construct exams, I have posted on the course web page a sample test from a course that I no longer teach (http://www.utm.edu/~jfieser/class/sample-exam.htm).
Disclaimer: The above items are subject to change during the semester.
Disability Services Information: Any student eligible for and requesting academic accommodations due to a disability is requested to provide a letter of accommodation from PACE or Student Academic Support Center within the first two weeks of the semester.
TEST SCHEDULE
First exam*: Wednesday, September 26
Second exam*: Wednesday, October 31
Third exam*: finals week